Regulation (EU) 2019/1148: Marketing and Use of Explosives Precursors

The incidence of terrorist attacks in Europe involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and home made explosives (HMEs) has increased in recent years. Europol (the European Union’s law enforcement agency) reports confirm that HMEs, fabricated from chemical precursors, are the most frequently used to carry out attacks.

The overall aim of the new Regulation is to establish harmonised rules across the EU concerning the acquisition, possession and use of substances or mixtures that could be used for the illicit manufacture of homemade explosives. The introduction of the regulation aims to limit the availability of explosive precursors to the general public, and to ensure that appropriate reporting of suspicious transactions throughout the supply chain is introduced.

What is an explosives precursor?

An explosives precursor is a chemical substance which can be made into an explosive with relative ease e.g. by mixing or blending with other substances, or by simple chemical processing.

Impact to chemical manufacturers & distributors?

From now on all links in the supply chain of these chemicals are legally obliged and responsible to:

• Ask the customer to fill in the customer’s statement and to provide a scanned copy of their proof of ID (or verify their ID electronically)

• Check whether the person purchasing the goods is authorised to purchase restricted explosives precursors on behalf of their company or institution

• Check that the product being purchased matches information on the customers statement; i. Substance, ii. Concentration, iii. Quality

• Assess whether the intended use is consistent with the trade, business or professions of the prospective customer. If not consistent, the (attempted) transaction should be reported as a suspicious transaction and may be refused

• Check whether the person receiving the goods is authorised to receive restricted explosives precursors on behalf of their company of institution

What does this mean for our customers?

Before we can can make a delivery to you, an authorised representative will need to sign a statement including:

• The Trade/Business/Profession, the Company Name, the Value Added Tax identification number (or any other relevant company registration number)

• The intended use of the products

• Proof of identity of the individual entitled to represent the customer (passport or similar identity card)

Companies need to be compliant to this new EU regulation by February 2021.

Click here to view the Regulation (EU) 2019/1148

If you buy any products from us that fall under this new regulation you will be contacted and requested to provide the above information

If you have any concerns or queries regarding this please speak to your account manager or, call 01323 445005 or email sales@w-p.co.uk